Please view the table below for important dates during swim lesson sessions. During the Parent Instructor Connect Week, we invite you to meet with your child’s swim instructor to discuss their progress. Please come to the viewing area 5 minutes before the end of the class.

Regular attendance helps your child to improve their swimming skills and is a requirement for swim lessons.

• Participant attendance is recorded and members with three consecutive absences within a 12 week session will be removed from their lesson time. This opens up the spot for other members.
• Members removed from swim lessons will need to re-register for the next session.

• To cancel or take a break from the program, please email the Aquatics Department or call: 905-845-5597, ext. 244.
• To switch swim lessons to a preferred day or time, please contact the Aquatics Department at 905-845-5597, ext. 244, or Membership Services at 905-845-3417. There may be a waiting period.

All ages

In addition to the weekly, one 30-minute swim lesson included with YMCA membership, you can purchase a 12-week swim lesson package. Learning to swim is more than just stroke development; it’s also about building confidence, self-esteem and developing lifelong skills. One class per week. Registration is required each session

3-35 months

Introduce your baby to the water! Learn to blow bubbles, kick and splash using a mix of games, songs, and activities. One class per week. registration is required each session for both members and non-members.

3-5 years

You’re never too young to enjoy the water! For children between 3 to 5 years old, the YMCA L’il Dippers program will introduce your baby, toddler, or preschooler to the basics of swimming.

We have developed each level in L’il Dippers with your child’s natural growth and development in mind. We know each child is unique, so our YMCA swim instructors encourage your child to progress at their own pace to reach their potential.

Location: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA, 410 Rebecca Street

There are eight levels in the YMCA L’il Dipper program: Splashers, Bubblers, Bobbers, Floaters, Gliders, Divers, Surfers, and Dippers. Explore all the levels to find the one that’s right for your child.

Bobber/Floater
This introductory program is based on water orientation and experimentation. Swimmers will be introduced to front and back floats and glides, they will be taught to get their face and head wet, blow bubbles and move in a life jacket. All skills are instructor supported. Swimmers will be required to swim independently in their PFD both on the front and back. Kicking with a buoyant aid, jumping into chest deep water will be introduced. Swimmers will be learning to roll from their front to their back and vice versa.

Glider/Diver
Swimmers will be independently floating, gliding and jumping into the pool. They will begin to retrieve objects off the bottom of the pool in chest deep water. They will further develop the ability to kick and move through the water with front and back swim, and learn how to side glide. Swimmers will be introduced to deep water. Swimmers will independently jump into deep water, and will be introduced to treading water and dives. They will begin working on front crawl with an over arm recovery and refining their flutter kick.

Surfer/Dipper
Swimmers will be working on front and back crawl, treading water and vertical whip kick. Swimmers are required to swim 15 meters of the main pool. Swimmers will be required to swim 25 meters of the main pool demonstrating proper arm and kick action for both front & back crawl. They will be introduced to side breathing.

6-12 years

Swimming lessons for children 6-12 years old who are ready to take the plunge and learn how to swim! The YMCA Learn to Swim program encourages children to build their skills while being active in the water and meeting new people.

Starting with the basics and progressing to stroke development, the four levels of YMCA Learn to Swim – Otter, Seal, Dolphin, Swimmer – teach kids essential swimming skills that they’ll use for the rest of their life. Our lessons empower your child to take an active part in their learning by setting their own goals and choosing from a range of optional skills during each level.

After completing Swimmer, the highest level, your child will be able to submerge, kick, roll, and jump into the water. They’ll be swimming on their fronts and back for short distances. But best of all, they’ll have achieved lifelong skills through their own efforts!

Location: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA, 410 Rebecca Street

Otter/Seal
This introductory program; swimmers will be introduced to front and back floats and glides, they will be taught to get their face and head wet, blow bubbles and move through deep water with a PFD for five meters. Swimmers will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water with a PFD. Front and back floats unassisted, learn whip kick and side breathing. Swimmer will be required to float, glide and swim on front and back for 10 metres unassisted.

Dolphin/Swimmer
Swimmers will be treading water in deep water for 30 seconds. They will be introduced to front crawl arm and side breathing, required to swim front and back swim for 25 metres. They will continue to work on front and back crawl demonstrating proper arm and kick action for 25 metres. Swimmers will be introduced to fun new things like cannonballs, dives, somersaults treading water and underwater swim.

6-12 years

Swimming lessons for children 6-12 years old who have mastered Learn to Swim and/or basic swimming skills, the YMCA Star program is a series of four swimming lessons focuses on technique, stroke development and endurance.

At the YMCA, we believe that swimming benefits your child through better health, new friends, and self-confidence. That’s why we encourage your child to take an active part in their learning, connect with others, and share in our passion for swimming. It’s the healthy thing to do!

Location: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA, 410 Rebecca Street

Star 1/2
Swimmers will be required to swim 50 meters of front crawl intermediate standard, and 25 metres of back crawl initial standard. They will be introduced to elementary backstroke and first aid situations. Swimmers are required to demonstrate advanced standards for front and back crawl. Continue to work on the elementary backstroke and introduced to breaststroke. They are required to complete an endurance swim of 150 metres.

Star 3/4
Swimmers are required to complete an endurance swim of 300 metres. Demonstrate intermediate standards for elementary backstroke, and introduced to eggbeater kick, and initial standards to breaststroke. Swimmers will refine stride jumps, eggbeater kick and head and foot surface dives. They’ll learn to scull and swim lengths of front & back crawl, whip kick and breaststroke with breathing. They will be introduced to sidestroke and an endurance swim of 400 metres

Star 5/6
Swimmers are required to complete an endurance swim of 500 metres. Demonstrate advanced standards for breaststroke, initial standards for sidestroke, and introduced to butterfly. Swimmers are required to demonstrate advanced standards for front and back crawl, and elementary backstroke. Intermediate standards in sidestroke & butterfly and introduced to inverted breaststroke, double arm backstroke and compact jump entries. They are required to complete an endurance swim of 600 metres

Star 7
These advanced swimmers will develop strength and power in head-up front crawl or breaststroke over 25 metres. They’ll easily swim 100 metres in all swim strokes and have the ability to teach lower level various stroke techniques. Master Swimmers will be required to volunteer six hours as assistant instructor.

16+ years

Adult Beginner Swim Lessons are designed to introduce the water, plus some basic swimming skills and techniques. One class per week, registration required for each session.

Location: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA, 410 Rebecca Street

16+ years

The goal of this program is to develop proficiency and endurance in one or more of the swimming strokes. One class per week, registration required for each session.

Location: Peter Gilgan Family YMCA, 410 Rebecca Street